This article was published by our friends and partners, the Georgia Forestry Association. For more information, visit www.gfagrow.org/covid-19.

On April 2, 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued an Executive Order, which instated a statewide “shelter in place” order in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Georgia Forestry Association has prepared an issue brief, which provides analysis and information on the key components of the Executive Order for the forestry community in Georgia. Below are a few key facts from the order:

  • The Executive Order and supporting memo from the Governor’s Office makes clear that forestry workers are included as a critical workforce under the guidance from the Department of Homeland Security.
  • This statewide order supersedes and replaces the patchwork of local ordinances at the city and county level.
  • Thanks to clear direction from the Governor’s office, a letter allowing critical industry workers to circulate is not required at this time.

“We are very fortunate that Governor Kemp’s Executive Order includes forestry as a ‘critical industry’ so that forestry businesses can continue operating to deliver essential products needed to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to keep the American economy moving,” GFA President & CEO Andres Villegas said.

To view the Association’s Issue Brief, which includes a detailed description of the Executive Order, click here →

If you have any questions about this order or its impact on forestry businesses across the state, visit www.gfagrow.org/covid-19 or contact GFA Vice President of Government Affairs Tom Beyer at tom@gfagrow.org.

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The Georgia Forestry Association is a member-led, non-profit trade association representing the forestry supply chain in Georgia. Since 1907, GFA has served as the primary advocate for a healthy business and political climate for Georgia’s forest landowners, forest-based businesses and forest product manufacturers. Learn more at gfagrow.org.